Collins Cup confident

Sunday 17 February 2002

Skipper John Collins believes that The Cottagers have a great chance of winning the FA Cup after their 2-1 fifth-round win at Walsall.

The Premiership outfit took the lead yesterday thanks to an own goal from Walsall's Tom Bennett, before Darren Byfield equalised shortly after the break. A spectacular volley from Barry Hayles handed victory to Fulham, and Collins is confident that his side can go all the way this season, saying:

"It was a poor goal from our point of view, but Barry Hayles scored a great winner.

"We are now only two games from the final and we have as good a chance as anyone of winning."

However, Walsall boss Colin Lee thought his side deserved a replay from the game. Lee was disappointed that Hayles grabbed his winner while Darren Wrack was off the field receiving treatment, and said:

"Full credit to Fulham because they played good football.

"But we are disappointed because we felt we deserved enough to draw. Fulham scored their second 25 seconds before Darren Wrack returned to the field and that is tough to swallow.

"I wouldn't criticise the team for conceding the goal from a set-piece today - it was just unlucky. "I thought we were worth the draw because Fulham did not create that many chances despite their possession."